Amalgamator.



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`2 sheets-sheet i.

(N0 Model.)

No. 7.035594. 'Patented my l, |902.

J. V. COLEMAN.

AIALGAMATUR.

l (Lpplicnion Bled Aug. 22, 1900.! (llo Model.) 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 wwwUNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

JAMES v. COLEMAN, OF SAN FRANCISCO, CALIFORNIA.

y AMALGAMATOR."

SPECIFICATIoN forming part of `Leraars Patent No. 703,694; dared July 1,i902. Application inea Augils'i 22,1900. 'simi No. 27,656. or@ moda.)

State of California, have invented new and useful Improvements inAmalgamators, of which the following is a specification.

This invention relates to that class. or description of ore-amalgamatorsin which the material is brought in contact with and caused to travelover the amalgamating-surfaces by gravitation and centrifugal motion;and the invention consists in certain novel parts and combination ofparts, producing an improved machine or apparatus, as hereinafterdescribed, and pointed out in the claims at the end of thisspecification.

The following description explains at length the nature of theseimprovements and the manner in which the same are constructed, applied,and operated, reference being had to the drawings that accompany andform part thereof.

Figure l of the drawings is an elevation of an ore-amalgamating machineor apparatus embodying my said improvements. a plan or top view with thecasing removed.

, Fig. 3 is a slight modification in which the surface of the helicalplate stands substantially at right angles to the shaft. Fig. 4 is a1cross-section at a: an, Fig. 3.

A indicates a stationary casing of conical shape standing on its largerend upon a panlike base or bottom plate.

B is a helical plate surrounding au upright shaft C, to which it isfixed. Bearings E F at the top and the bottom of the casing support theshaft in the center in'npright position, and means for applying powertothe shaft, such as a hand-crank or a belt-pulley, fast on the shaft,are provided for rotating it within the' casing.

The heliXB is made with a continuous surf ace descending atsubstantially a uniform grade from the top to the bottom and valso witha regular increase of surfacefro'm top tov bottom of the helix. ,Theturns of` the helix increasing in width one over another in descendingorder bring the edges in close relation to the walls of the surroundingcasing, so that the helical plate conforms to the conical shape of thecasing. The dimensions of Fig. 2 isthe two parts are so proportionedthat the circumferential edges of the turns have a close fit with thesurrounding walls without being in actual contact, and the surface ofeach vturn of the heli-x is carried in the same ,planeifrom the centralshaft out to the circumference.

Y In addition to the inclination which is due to the pitch of the helixthe surface of the plate is sometimes given an upward slant from thecentral shaft out to the circumference, irl-which case the surface has'a greater degree of elevation at the outer edge 'than at the center,while at the same timethe surface .is a continuous descending plane fromtop to bottom. A section taken in a vertical plane on a radial linethrough the helix will resemble a segment of an inverted cone. Afe'edtrough or hopper Gis mounted above an inlet in the top of the casing forintroducing the material to the highest part of the helical plate, andthe floor or bottom of the pan beneath the casing slants from thecenvter. to the rim to direct the material to the outlet.

The casingis made. in separable parts or sections, provided with lockingdevices for 'securing them together, as shown in the drawings; but suchconstruction is simply a matter of convenience in placing and removingthe casing and is not a necessary or essential feature to beincorporated in the machine. The surfaces of the helical plate and theinner surface of the surrounding casing are silver-plated to produce andpresent amalgamating-surfaces with which the material is brought in`contact by the combined centrifugal action and the force ofgravitation. By constructing the parts of the amalgamator in this mannerthe pulp or material being operated upon is constantly subjected toagitation andis retarded in its vertical passage by the upward movementof the spiral and in its Outward or radial movement by the upwardcurveof the Spiral, thus vsecuring very beneficial' results, and by locatingall points ofthe periphery` of the spiral interiorly of a vertical planethrough the corresponding portions of the spiral below it and also eX-teriorly to a vertical plane through the portions of the casing above itany material that passes or is thrown over the edge of the IOO spiralwithout coming in contact with the casing falls upon the next turn ofthe spiral below it, and any of the material from any portion of theinterior of the casing falls upon the portion of the spiral directlybelow it, thus causing the material to be upon or near theamalgamating-surface at all points of its passage through theamalgamator.

As thus constructed, the operation of my improved machine is as follows:Power being applied to the driving-pulley, a regular and relatively'slow motion is given to the shaft in the direction that will cause thehelix to travel upward or against the descending stream of the materialthat is introduced at the top through the chute or hopper, and by virtueof such motion the centrifugal force set up causes the material tospread and distribute itself upon the ever-increasing surface of thehelix from the center out to the circumference at the same time that thepitch of the surface producesa regular descending` movement of thematerial-under the force of gravitation from the top to the bottom ofthe helix. Under the action of these forces the mass of descendingmaterial is spread in an open manner and brought in intimate contactwith the amalgamating-surfaces of the helical plate. As the materialdescends by gravity, it meets the upwardlymoving surface of the spiral,which is constantly increasing in area as the mateterial in its descentbecomes more and more thinly spread and distributed by the centrifugalforce, so that those particles of minerals whichmay escape from theupper turns of thehelix are brought in contact with fresh or uncoveredamalgamating surfaces of the lower turns of the helix having greaterarea. Those particles of the mineral which may be carried with thematerial toward the edge of the helix are projected or brought againstthe inner wall of the casing with greater or less force, according tothe speed with which the helix is revolved in the casing, and the lattersurface being silver-plated the same as the surface of the helix themineral particles are retained, while the tailings pass down and aredischarged upon the pan at the bottom. Then the surface of the helicalplate and the casing have become coated, the amalgam is removed bysubjecting lthe surfaces to the usual treatment.

Having thus fully described my invention,

what I claim as new therein, and desire to secure by Letters Patent, is-

l. In an arnalgamator, a casing, a spiral journaled vertically therein,the upper surface of which is formed into an amalgamatingsurface, eachportion of the periphery of the spiral being located interiorly of avertical plane through the corresponding portion of the spiral below itsaid spiral having an unobstructed outer edge, and means for rotatingthe spiral.

2. In an amalgamator, a conical casing, a conical spiral journaledvertically therein, the inner surface of the casing and the uppersurface of the spiral being formed with amalgamating-surfaces, eachportion of the periphery of the spiral being located interiorly of avertical plane through the corresponding portion of the spiral below itand exteriorly of a vertical plane through the portion of the casingaboveit, said spiral having an unobstructed outer edge, and means forrotating the spiral upward toward the smaller end of the casing.

3. In an amalgamator, a conical casing, a conical spiral journaledvertically therein with its periphery in close proximity to the casing,the inner surface of the casing and the upper surface of the spiralbeing formed into amalgamating-surfaces, the upper surface of eachportion of the spiral being inclined or substantially dish-shaped fromits axis to its periphery, said spiral having an unobstructed outer edgeand means for rotating the spiral upward,or,toward the smaller end ofthe casing.

4. In an amalgamator, a base provided with a standing rim, a conicalcasing therein, the lower edge of which is within the rim, ashaftjournaled in the baseand concentrically Within the casing, a conicalspiral around the shaft, having an unobstructed outer edge adjacent tothe casing the upper surface of the spiral and the interior surface ofthe casing being formed into amalgamating-surfaces, and means forrotating the spiral toward the top of the casing.

In testimony that I claim the foregoing I have hereunto set my hand andseal.

JAMES V. COLEMAN. [L. s] Vitnesses:

T. J. SCHUYLER, EDWARD E. OsBoRN.

